Dar es Salaam. The Tanzanian government has stepped up efforts to digitise services at the National Identification Authority (NIDA) in a move aimed at simplifying the issuance and tracking of national identity cards.
The minister for Home Affairs, Mr George Simbachawene, on December 29 launched a dedicated short code, 15274, which will allow citizens to track the status of their national identity card applications after submission.
Speaking at the launch in Dar es Salaam, Mr Simbachawene said the new system would enable applicants to obtain timely information on the progress of their applications, helping to address persistent challenges linked to uncollected identity cards.
He noted that thousands of national identity cards have already been produced and dispatched to respective locations, including district offices where applicants initially registered.
However, a significant number remain uncollected, largely because applicants are unaware of the status or whereabouts of their cards.
As a result, he said, some citizens have been denied access to essential services, including healthcare, social welfare benefits, enrolment in higher learning institutions and applications for loans from the Higher Education Students’ Loans Board (HESLB).
“As we speak today, there are many uncollected identity cards in districts across the country. The main reason is that applicants do not know the stage their applications have reached,” Mr Simbachawene said.
“Through this system that I am launching today, an applicant will receive clear feedback. If your card is ready within five days, you will be informed. If it is not ready within that period, the system will explain why,” he added.
Mr Simbachawene said the government was also considering phasing out the use of the National Identification Number (NIN) as a substitute for the physical card, citing concerns that many people had stopped collecting their cards despite the significant public funds spent on producing them.
“These cards are produced using taxpayers’ money. Citizens must collect their identity cards and use them as official identification, instead of relying solely on the identification number,” he said.
Earlier, the director general of NIDA, Mr James Kaji, said the authority had decentralised the distribution of identity cards down to ward level in an effort to bring services closer to citizens.
Despite this, many cards have still not been collected, prompting NIDA to consolidate distribution at district offices.
He expressed confidence that the introduction of the short code 15274 would significantly improve collection rates by placing application information directly in the hands of applicants through their mobile phones.
“The system makes it easier for applicants to know exactly where their cards are and what stage the process has reached. We believe this will encourage more people to collect their cards,” Mr Kaji said.
The launch forms part of broader government efforts to modernise public services through digital solutions and improve efficiency, accountability and service delivery across key institutions.
